The WNBA community was left in shock on Monday as the Dallas Wings made a surprising trade, sending NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick. This trade not only had a significant impact on Smith’s career but also led to an unexpected separation from her girlfriend, DiJonai Carrington, who currently plays for the Wings.
Carrington took to social media to share a heartfelt goodbye, posting adorable photos with Smith and expressing her love and sadness with emojis. In response, Smith penned an emotional message of her own, publicly declaring her love for Carrington in a touching farewell.
“I love you wifeyyyy, take care of the kidsss,” Smith wrote in her farewell message.
The trade came as a complete shock to NaLyssa Smith, who was blindsided by the Dallas Wings’ decision. Despite the initial shock, Smith quickly came to terms with the trade and showed no signs of holding a grudge against the franchise. In fact, she revealed in a tweet that Las Vegas would have been her preferred destination all along, showing optimism about the move to the Aces.
NaLyssa Smith’s time with the Dallas Wings was short-lived after being acquired earlier this year in a blockbuster trade. In her 18 games with the team, her production dipped, averaging a career-low 6.7 points on 42.5% shooting and 4.9 rebounds per game. The fit with the Wings wasn’t quite what the franchise had hoped for, leading to the trade to the Las Vegas Aces.
Atishay Jain is a sports aficionado and an Assistant Content Manager with Sportskeeda’s basketball team. With a deep admiration for the NBA and WNBA, Atishay brings a wealth of experience and passion to his work in sports media. His career spans both Indian and international sports coverage, with a keen interest in cricket, football, basketball, and tennis. As a graduate in Journalism, Atishay’s expertise and love for sports shine through in his work.
In conclusion, the trade of NaLyssa Smith from the Dallas Wings to the Las Vegas Aces has left a lasting impact on both the player and the WNBA community. Despite the unexpected turn of events, Smith remains optimistic about her future with the Aces and continues to show love and support for her girlfriend, DiJonai Carrington, as they navigate this new chapter in their lives.